An Artist Resident


The Work Spaces



The artists from our visit


Lauren Goding

– an artist from Portland, OR- Installation, paper thread and natural dyes – See her work >

Tim Svenonius

– an artist from San Francisco- Letterpress printed artist book –  See his work >

Annegret Frauenlob

a book artist from Germany- Printmaking, etching on linoleum – See her work >


Read Macys full story in the latest edition of Pressing Matters or visit her website below


The Buckhorn

Photography by Michael Woolsey

Full of knotty pine, taxidermy and Fireball on tap, this iconic local watering hole welcomes all to Petaluma. It’s the type of place you can walk into and feel right at home ( if your home is a sweet little dive bar).  If you like to bellow a few notes in public then you should show up Saturday for their karaoke night. The Buckhorn is truly one of Petaluma’s best kept secrets.


Field Guide: F.A Nino's - Sonoma Sauce Mafia

What’s in the box

– F. A. Nino’s Artisan Products: Chocolate Chipotle Adobo

– Porky Onions: Hot/Garlic Sauteed Onions

– Russian River Fine foods: Carne Asada Marinade


Field Guide: Stoney Point Pottery

J e n n y ☾ D a w n
Handcrafted Earthy Pottery in Sonoma County

Pick one up at The Mail Depot


Field Guide: Fuller Knives | Knifemakers

Fuller Knives is dedicated to professional cutlery and handmade craft goods. They are local makers, service providers, educators, and retailers of all things knives. They also offer expert sharpening services and blacksmithing classes at their Petaluma-based workshop, where they make all their knives.


Field Guide: Monarch Bitters

Inspired by the forgotten cocktails of decades past, Monarch Bitters are handcrafted from organic and wild harvested roots, barks, aromatic herbs and flowers.

All sourced locally from the Sonoma County countryside and bottled by hand in Petaluma, CA. Her new store on Kentucky Street is a showcase of beauty to behold, with deliciously creative with deliciously creative tonics and bitters to spice up your holiday cocktail menu.


Workspace: Alfie Turnshek

Meet Alfie Turnshek, Beverage Director and Partner at Brewster’s Beer Garden in Petaluma. With street cred from East Bay establishments Tribune Tavern and Plum, Turnshek has brought his colorful cocktail concoctions to Petaluma, and the creative juices are flowing freely. Alfie takes his workspace very seriously, sourcing only the best and freshest ingredients in his recipes. The bar itself is designed and includes materials from local businesses; it’s spacious, with cleanly limned angles and color splashes of various drink additives from citrus to mint to bitters.  It is Aflie’s happy place and he fully enjoys making it the happy place for a many a visiting patron. Talk about doing what you love for a living. Thanks for coming, Alfie. Sonoma County is very happy to have you.


Give me the HeeBee's

As you stroll historic downtown Petaluma and come upon HeeBe JeeBe on Kentucky Street, “Champion” will be there to greet you. Champion is a circa 1940s-50s coin operated horse. He sits just outside the door, saddled and bridled in real leather, as “the most beloved thing in Petaluma for the under four crowd,” says HeeBe JeeBe owner Drew Washer. “My husband drove back to Bisbee, Arizona in the middle of summer heat with no air conditioning and brought him back here,” elaborates Drew. Halfway into our interview a little girl walks towards the cashier with pep talk from her mom, and shyly requests a quarter for one ride.

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Drew Washer opened HeeBe JeeBe General Store in the 1980s when she moved to Petaluma to start a family. As a creative professional and mother her goal was to create a place of value. She conceived of the store, initially named Boomerang, while freelancing for catalogue companies. “I was doing design boards. So I opened it from a very visual artistic direction, as opposed to facts and figures.” A requisite sense of adventure to acquire decorations such as Champion, and thoughtful accommodations for the “under four years old” crowd, reflect Drew’s unique sensibility.

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Coupling family and business acumen, Drew often picks up heirlooms on short family road trips through California towns or to desert landscapes. Objects like taxidermies of buffalo and goat heads are mounted high on the walls. But don’t mistake the decor for tinsel. From beasts to Dia De Los Muertos skeletons and a chandelier of hanging fishes crafted by members of Washer’s family, there are poetic stories behind everything. Patrons are also encouraged to follow their own storylines with merchandise, shares staff. Whether on your way to a pink elephant party, contemplating a birthday gift, or looking for a special card, your situation and taste are likely accounted for by a range of merchandise “from young to old.”

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At the far corner of the store is The Back House Gallery. It isn’t a standard art gallery, with four snug corners lit by one magical skylight. On the other hand its measure follows a different ruler. “Both my kids in their artistic and creative years had their own little house they lived in. And we always called it ‘the back house.’ My son and daughter did their first shows out there,” explains Drew. “From ideas that inspire me and whatever is happening in the community,” The Back House Gallery creates nine shows per year that are community driven. March 27th featured “Home Work,” an exhibit of work by three local art teachers, a glimpse of “how they keep their own art practices alive.” The end of June will present “Go Slow,” a sloth-themed fundraiser to help build an aviary in a local classroom. In July stay tuned for the artist open call for self-portraits.

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Envisioned by Drew Washer over sixteen years ago as a “challenge of pulling something together, whatever it is,” HeeBe JeeBe General Store is a place you cannot replicate. As a small business owner Washer infuses the 19th century “general store” model with quirky alterations just for Petaluma. General stores were small town stores all about providing variety and meeting the needs of nearby inhabitants. Holding to values of community and family values, Drew’s vision as a business owner/curator has created a rare alloy. Part general store, part novelty shop, and community gathering post, the store caters to the local parent, quirk, retro snob, artsy cultural connoisseur or nerd, thoughtful gift giver, resident and of course visitors passing through. It seems best to meet a friend there, take one’s time browsing, and of course, chat with other folks.